History Literature / PrideAndPrejudice

* {{Expy}}: Wickham and Lady Catherine are strikingly similar to Willoughby and Mrs Ferrars of ''Literature/SenseAndSensibility'', and Jane and Bingley's relationship bears similarities to that of [[TwiceShy Edward and Elinor]]; in fact, half the trouble in P&P is caused by Darcy's mistaking Jane's [[LoveYouAndEverybody level of affection]] for Bingley.

* DoubleStandard: In Elizabeth's mind, Charlotte's agreeing to marry Mr Collins in exchange for a comfortable home and a modicum of respectability represents "a betrayal of every better feeling". Wickham's decision to court the heiress Mary King despite the fact that he'd been uninterested in her before she inherited money, on the other hand, is simply a matter of pragmatism, although this could be seen as a way for Elizabeth to deal with the news -- she was interested in him initially, and might now want to be seen to be calm and not allow herself to be upset. The narrator does call Elizabeth out on this.** There is also the fact that, unlike Wickham, Elizabeth was friends with Charlotte, [[AngerBornOfWorry cared about her happiness]], and likely expected more from her/held her to a higher standard than a man she didn't really know all that well.** Also, Elizabeth finds Mr. Collins particularly odious, while Mary King is a "good sort of girl" with nothing particular against her.

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* DoubleStandard: In Elizabeth's mind, Charlotte's agreeing to marry Mr Collins in exchange for a comfortable home and a modicum of respectability represents "a betrayal of every better feeling". Wickham's decision to court the heiress Mary King despite the fact that he'd been uninterested in her before she inherited money, on the other hand, is simply a matter of pragmatism, although this could be seen as a way for Elizabeth to deal with the news -- she was interested in him initially, and might now want to be seen to be calm and not allow herself to be upset. The narrator does call Elizabeth out on this.** this. There is also the fact that, unlike Wickham, Elizabeth was friends with Charlotte, [[AngerBornOfWorry cared about her happiness]], and likely expected more from her/held her to a higher standard than a man she didn't really know all that well.** Also, Elizabeth finds Mr. Collins particularly odious, while Mary King is a "good sort of girl" with nothing particular against her.well.

* HomeEarlySurprise: Elizabeth agrees to tour Darcy's estate with her aunt and uncle only after confirming that he's away this week. Naturally, Darcy has to return a day early, much to her mortification. However, he's quite happy to find her because it gives him a chance to show his improved manners from the last time they met.

** Mr and Mrs Bennet. The author and the characters acknowledge how unfitted these two are, so they serve as a warning to marry wisely. The narrator notes that a young Mr Bennet misstook youth and beauty for a winning personality. Also Mrs Bennet married for security and Mr Bennet not only can't provide it (as his estate is entailed and must be passed in the male line, and the marriage produced five daughters); he also actively sabotages her attempts to warn her daughters that they face a choice between financial security and marriage or being poor but independent.

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** Mr and Mrs Bennet. The author and the characters acknowledge how unfitted these two are, so they serve as a warning to marry wisely. The narrator notes that a young Mr Bennet misstook mistook youth and beauty for a winning personality. Also Mrs Bennet married for security and Mr Bennet not only can't provide it (as his estate is entailed and must be passed in the male line, and the marriage produced five daughters); he also actively sabotages her attempts to warn her daughters that they face a choice between financial security and marriage or being poor but independent.

* HollywoodHomely: While Elizabeth is by no means meant to be unattractive, Jane is universally considered the Pretty One. This can be slightly difficult to believe when she is played by, for example, ''Keira Knightley''.

** Mr Collins himself does this at the very end of the book, deciding that he and his wife would be better off in a different county until Lady Catherine gets over her fury regarding [[spoiler: Darcy's marriage to Elizabeth.]]

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** Mr Mr. Collins himself does this at the very end of the book, deciding that he and his wife would be better off in a different county until Lady Catherine gets over her fury regarding [[spoiler: Darcy's marriage to Elizabeth.]]

Added DiffLines:

* WhatTheHellHero:** When Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, and is arrogant about it, she doesn't just turn him down. She launches into a blistering TheReasonYouSuckSpeech about how he is a {{Jerkass}} that cost Jane's happiness, and broke up Jane's relationship with Bingley. Darcy has no defense against this, though he later writes an apology letter to her. The only point that she's wrong on is about Wickham; Darcy explains later his reasons for keeping Wickham away.** Later on, Elizabeth gives one to herself for not telling anyone about Wickham's character. It might have kept Lydia from eloping with the man.

* ChristianityIsCatholic: Averted. A family similarly situated to the Bennets in Spain or Italy would have sent some of the daughters into a convent. (Mary would probably have done well as a nun; she'd play the organ in the chapel, teach the little girls in the school, and been very busy and happy.)[[note]]The Church of England nowadays does, in fact, have nuns, complete with convents; but such religious orders were not in existence in England during the Regency era.[[/note]]

Reason: Removed the trope "Christianity is Catholic". This is not so much "averted" as simply not there. The majority of people in England at that time conformed to Anglicanism (the state religion).

In terms of modern adapations, there's always the ''Literature/BridgetJones'' franchise, which takes on this, and then Austen's ''Literature/{{Persuasion}}'' for its sequel. More recently, ''WebVideo/TheLizzieBennetDiaries'', a modernised adaptation (headed in part by [[Music/HankGreen Hank]] [[WebVideo/VlogBrothers Green]]), began airing on Website/YouTube in early 2012 in the form of a [[CharacterBlog video blog]]. In this version there are three Bennet sisters (Jane, Lizzie and Lydia) and Charlotte's role is greatly expanded. Oh, and there's ''VideoGame/MatchesAndMatrimony'', a DatingSim.

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In terms of modern adapations, adaptations, there's always the ''Literature/BridgetJones'' franchise, which takes on this, and then Austen's ''Literature/{{Persuasion}}'' for its sequel. More recently, ''WebVideo/TheLizzieBennetDiaries'', a modernised adaptation (headed in part by [[Music/HankGreen Hank]] [[WebVideo/VlogBrothers Green]]), began airing on Website/YouTube in early 2012 in the form of a [[CharacterBlog video blog]]. In this version there are three Bennet sisters (Jane, Lizzie and Lydia) and Charlotte's role is greatly expanded. Oh, and there's ''VideoGame/MatchesAndMatrimony'', a DatingSim.

* EsotericHappyEnding: How Elizabeth views Lydia and Wickham's marriage. Everyone else is celebrating because it means her reputation (and, by extension, the family's) is saved. Elizabeth's internal monologue points out that Wickham is no prize either as a husband or a brother-in-law, and that it's terrible circumstances indeed that make this seem like a "happy" ending. Indeed, in the WhereAreTheyNow sum up at the end, Wickham quickly loses whatever regard he had for his wife and vice versa, leaving them stuck in a loveless marriage they can't get out of.

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* EsotericHappyEnding: [[invoked]] How Elizabeth views Lydia and Wickham's marriage. Everyone else is celebrating because it means her reputation (and, by extension, the family's) is saved. Elizabeth's internal monologue points out that Wickham is no prize either as a husband or a brother-in-law, and that it's terrible circumstances indeed that make this seem like a "happy" ending. Indeed, in the WhereAreTheyNow sum up at the end, Wickham quickly loses whatever regard he had for his wife and vice versa, leaving them stuck in a loveless marriage they can't get out of.

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